Here is a "Who's Who" providing detailed
and illustrated biographies of all the major characters (not just Dan
Dare and The Mekon) that featured in the original 1950's and 60's "Dan
Dare, Pilot of the Future" stories. The text was transcribed by
me (with minor modifications and corrections, plus one addition) and
the images scanned from The Dan Dare Dossier, by Norman Wright and Mike
Higgs, which was published in 1990 by Hawk Books to celebrate the 40th
Anniversary of Dan Dare and The Mekon.

THE MEKON

BORN: Circa 1750 in Treenland, Venus.

The totally evil Mighty Mekon of Mekonta was, until Dan Dare's
first expedition to Venus, the absolute ruler of the Treens of
the northern hemisphere of that planet. He was defeated and it
was believed that he had been killed, but he turned up later on
Mercury. The Mekon has become Dan Dare's and the Earth's most
implacable enemy. Often it appears that he has been exterminated
but, like the proverbial bad penny, he always returns. His character
is the exact antithesis of Dan's. He cheats, lies and is without
any emotion, save perhaps that of revenge. He continually devises
new and more diabolical schemes in his bids to usurp the free
beings of the Solar System. He has, in his time, built an army
of robots and constructed giant space stations and lasers in his
attempts to gain control of other civilisations and planets. He
has attempted to use biological weapons and economic blockades
to the same ends. Every attempt (thus far) has been thwarted by
Dan Dare.

ALBERT FITZWILLIAM DIGBY

BORN: 1960 in Wigan, Lancashire, England.

HOBBIES: Football, jigsaw puzzles, sleeping.

QUALIFICATIONS: Spaceman Class 1.

After the death of his parents, Albert Fitzwilliam was brought
up by his aunt, Anastasia Digby, who also lived in Wigan. An unpleasant
early experience occurred in 1978 when he was mistaken for a notorious
murderer and arrested at Sunnymouth. He later used the experience
as a warning message to Earth when he was being held captive by
the Treens, prior to their attempted invasion of the Earth.

He is married with four children - Frances, Albert, Mary and
Anna.

He joined the Interplanet Spacefleet as a boy apprentice and,
despite his comical disposition, he became a Mechanic First Class.
He became Dan's batman, a role he has continued to occupy throughout
all of their many adventures. Referred to by his friends simply
as "Digby", or "Dig" for short.

PROFESSOR JOCELYN MABEL PEABODY

BORN: Moreton, Gloucestershire, England.

HOBBIES: Netball, riding, ballet.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy.
Appointed Professor of Plant Biochemistry at a young age. Holds
a Space Pilot Class 3 certificate.

EDUCATION: School in Southampton, graduated from Bedford
College. Attended University of London and then Magdelene College,
Oxford. She became the youngest lecturer at Oxford.

A research biologist, expert on nutrition, agriculture, geology
and botany. Assigned to Dan's first expedition to Venus by the
World Government Organisation. Her specialised knowledge enabled
the swift selection of foodstuffs to be made for shipping back
to Earth. Granted citizen rights of Venus along with her friends
for her part in the overthrow of The Mekon. Awarded the World
Government Star for services to humanity.

Professor Peabody is also a linguistics expert
and established the first communications with the Mercurians.
She also helped develop the chlorophyll lamp used to lure the
Red Moon away from the Earth.

Jocelyn Peabody is a very determined young lady who early on
in her career struck a blow for the full equality of the female
sex.

PIERRE AUGUST LAFAYETTE

BORN: Dijon, France.

HOBBIES: Gastronomy, fishing, three-dimensional chess.

QUALIFICATIONS: Space Pilot Class 1.

Pierre is a Pilot Major and one of the most distinguished space
pilots France has ever produced. He is a clever man who will quietly
show his friends the way. He is a great thinker and perhaps the
quietest member of the Dan Dare team. He is a great pal of Hank's
and the two characters complement each other perfectly - the one
lively and loud, the other quiet and retiring.

ALEXANDER MICHAEL TERRANCE O'MALLEY

BORN: Ireland.

HOBBIES: Writing; at least two of his books have been
published.

EDUCATION: Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

A Naval Commander and famous submarine explorer who first joined
the Dan Dare team during "The Man From Nowhere" adventure.
He specialises in deep sea exploration and navigation. Known to
his friends as "Lex", he is a fiery Irishman who carries
plenty of brawn as well as a highly active brain. He featured
in several of Dan's later adventures, to some extent replacing
Hank and Pierre who appeared less regularly towards the end of
the original "Eagle's" run.

DOCTOR IVOR DARE

BORN: Wales.

Dr. Dare is Dan's Uncle and is probably best remembered for his
researches on Mars where he discovered evidence that eventually
led to the Earth being saved from the Red Moon. He is a rather
eccentric Welshman who had, in his younger days, played rugby
three-quarters for Cardiff. Ivor Dare is very contemptuous of
red tape.

DANIEL MACGREGOR DARE, O.U.N.

BORN: 1967 in Manchester, England. Son of William Dare
and Jean Dare (nee MacGregor).

HOBBIES: Cricket, fencing, riding, painting, model making.

QUALIFICATIONS: Space Pilot Class 1.

ANCESTRY: Dan Dare comes from a family of warriors. An
Ensign of Horse, Jacob Dare, fought in Cromwell's regiment at
the battle of Edgehill. Captain Richard Dare of the 43rd Foot
fought at Waterloo, where he sustained injuries that resulted
in the loss of a leg. Dan's father, William Dare, was a noted
climber and explorer, and became the first man to fully explore
the Matto Grosso of Brazil. William Dare disappeared whilst employed
as a test pilot by Cosmic Space Lines. Dan's mother's side of
the family too had fighting blood in its veins. Her ancestors
had fought under Prince Charles in the 1745 Rebellion.

EDUCATION: At the age of twelve Dan entered the Rossall
School, Lancashire, where he was a rather high-spirited pupil
initially. He did, however, calm down and eventually became head
boy of the school. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge where
he read Modern Science. Under an international exchange he entered
Harvard University (U.S.A.) where he undertook research in astrophysics.

After leaving university he joined the Interplanet Spacefleet
as a cadet. He served his time on the Moon run, then completed
his long-distance training as a co-pilot on the Mars run. He was
promoted to Captain - Space Pilot Class One, and later to Colonel.
He was eventually appointed Chief Pilot and in that capacity undertook
his many perilous missions.

Awarded the "Order of the United Nations" for leadership
of the Venus Expedition in 1996. After defeating the Treen invasion
of Theronland on Venus, and freeing the Treens from The Mekon's
despotic rule, he was granted full citizen rights of the planet.

Dan is a natural leader and a man who inspires those around him
to give of their best. His word is his bond no matter how treacherous
his adversaries are.

Ex-R.A.F. Together with Dan's father he helped to pioneer space
travel and served on the crew of the first successful manned rocket
to the Moon. Commanded a ship on the first expedition to Mars
under Admiral Grosvenor.

Sir Hubert prefers action to sitting behind a desk and when he
can takes part in active service missions. He joined Dan on the
first expedition to Venus and proved himself to be as quick and
agile as a man many years his junior. He is a fatherly figure,
loved by those who serve under him. He has the knowledge and experience
to know when to listen to advice and rarely "throws rank".
Affectionately known to his men as "'Orrible 'Ubert".

HENRY ("HANK") BRENNAN HOGAN

BORN: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

HOBBIES: Boxing, car racing, photography, baseball.

QUALIFICATIONS: Space Pilot Class 1.

An efficient pilot with a hatred of red tape. Known for his love
of informal dress and his slightly rebellious nature. Served with
Dan on the first Venus expedition where he more than proved his
worth. He is tall, angular and bespectacled, yet in a fight he
is a tough customer. Hank is always cheerful and has a natural
optimism that makes him a good companion to have if the going
gets tough.

SONDAR

BORN: Treenland, Venus.

HOBBIES: Human psychology, advanced mathematics.

Sondar holds an important position in the Treen
Spacefleet. Was the first Venusian Ambassador to Earth. Originally
a supporter of The Mekon, he began to question the actions of
The Mekon and thus was considered to have a brain fault. After
being exposed to the philosophy of the Earthmen he began, slowly,
to realise that the totally scientific life he had been leading
in the service of The Mekon was evil. After Dan Dare and Sir Hubert
Guest saved his life he bean to develop a loyalty to the spacemen.
He even eventually developed a sense of humour, which causes him
to emit a strange, mechanical laugh. He designed the "Anastasia",
Dan's private two-seater spaceship-cum-aircraft and his scientific
knowledge has been of great use on more than one occasion. He
has taken part in many of Dan's adventures, including those on
Mercury and Venus.

CRISTOPHER PHILIP ("FLAMER") SPRY

BORN: Middlesex, England.

QUALIFICATIONS: Still a Cadet at Astral College.

"Flamer" is a high-spirited youth who finds the rigid
discipline of Astral College quite a burden. He is particularly
gifted at telecommunications.

He accompanied Dan and Co on several of their later adventures.
One of his most notable achievements was his skill in imitating
the voice of The Mekon in order to destroy the Elektrobots in
the "Reign of the Robots" adventure.

STRIPEY (Pictured with "FLAMER" above)

BORN: Cryptos.

First encountered by Dan and Co on the planet Cryptos during
the "Rogue Planet" adventure, Stripey became very fond of Digby
and also "Flamer", becoming rather like a loyal pet.
He is a highly intelligent creature and proved to be an invaluable
member of the team, helping in the defeat of the Phants. He accompanied
the team back to Earth where once again he proved his worth in
the struggle against The Mekon and his army of robots.

To
see the original version of this "Who's Who", as two complete page scans
from The Dan Dare Dossier, go to my other "1950's
and 60's Who's Who" page.

For
a detailed and illustrated profile of all the major characters that
featured in the 2002 "Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future" CGI cartoon
TV series, go to my "2002
TV Series Who's Who" page.

For
a complete listing of the weekly adventures of Dan Dare and The Mekon
(and the rest of the cast of characters) that appeared in the 1950's
and 60's "Eagle", plus details of all the other weekly stories
they starred in - including the 2002 TV series - go to my "Weekly
Comic-Strip Serials Listing" page.

For
more detailed information on the Treens, including how they evolved
on Venus and how they created The Mekon, go to my pages about "The
Treen Dynasty".